McGrath asks Sreesanth to back antics with wickets

"You want your fast bowler to be aggressive. Giving blokes send-offs or sledging when you talk back I don't agree with, but that's up to the officials to sort out. At the end of the day you've got to be able to back it up," he said on the young Indian speedster.

"You can talk the talk but if you can't go out there and perform then you're not going to be around for very long."

Sreesanth has taken India by storm with his aggressive bowling but opinion is divided on his antics.

Right from his celebratory dance after hitting South African fast bowler Andre Nel for a huge six last year to Mammooty-like walks on the ground, he has provided much amusement to spectators. But it has come at a price.

Sreesanth has been censored on numerous occasions and even fined a few times.During the recently completed one-day international series in India, which Australia won 4-2, Sreesanth had some run-ins with burly Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds. And the fast bowler will be on the firing line when India tours Australia later this year.

McGrath warned the Indian medium pace not to get too carried away with his theatrics unless he can back it up out in the middle.

The last time India toured Australia in 2003-04, the Test series was drawn 1-1 although the home team was without McGrath (injured) and leg-spinner Shane Warne (suspended).

While both bowlers are also missing for this tour after retiring at the end of last season, McGrath believes India is still in for a torrid time at the hands of an Australian team about to enter a rebuilding phase.

"I think it's going to be an interesting and exciting time for Australian cricket with the young guys putting their hands up," said McGrath.